Katrina - Spaniel and Bichon Frise Dog for Adoption in Hillsborough, North Carolina

Katrina is a 5 year old, 20 lb King Charles Spaniel/Bichon Frise mix with an old soul, a sharp mind, and a deeply observant nature!

Quick Facts:
Name: Katrina
Breed: King Charles Spaniel/Bichon Frise mix
Age: 5 years old
Weight: 20 lbs.
House-Trained: Yes
Crate-Trained: Yes
Good with Dogs: Yes (with proper introduction)
Good with Cats: Yes (she loves playing with the cat in her foster home)
Good with Kids: Yes – likely best with older, school aged kids who can go slow with her
Energy Level: Low-Medium
Fence Required: Yes
Dog’s Location: Timberlake, NC

About Katrina’s Breed:
Our best guess is that Katrina is a King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise mixed breed. A King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise mix is typically a gentle, intelligent, and deeply people focused little companion with a soft coat, expressive eyes, and a calm, thoughtful way of taking in the world. They often blend the Cavalier’s sweet, affectionate nature with the Bichon’s bright, observant personality, creating a dog who loves their humans but also likes to assess new situations before diving in. Many of these mixes are sensitive, intuitive dogs who bond closely and enjoy being near their people without necessarily demanding constant attention.

Their ideal home is one that offers patience, predictable routines, and respectful interactions, especially because these dogs tend to be highly aware of body language and can be cautious with quick movements or unfamiliar people. They thrive with families who appreciate a gentle, intelligent dog and can provide slow introductions and clear communication. With a calm environment, loving guidance, and opportunities for companionship — whether traveling, relaxing at home, or exploring new places — a King Charles Spaniel/Bichon mix becomes a devoted, steady, and wonderfully soulful member of the family.

What to Love about Katrina:
She likes to stand back, sniff the air, and assess new people before deciding she’s ready for attention, and once she chooses you, she becomes affectionate, playful, and eager to please. She remembers everything — truly — so respecting her boundaries is essential, and she thrives with people who understand dog body language and let her warm up at her own pace. Katrina has made huge progress with resource guarding and crate space sensitivity, especially when she’s calmly told to “go to bed.” She does still guard her “squeaky toys” most, but does not guard non-squeaky toys or her food. Quick movements can make her nervous, and she may growl if startled, but with slow introductions and predictable handling, she blossoms beautifully.

As she adjusts to her new life, Katrina is becoming more playful, more trusting, and more connected to her people. She’s potty trained, crate trained, and can be left crated when needed. She loves car rides, enjoys relaxing near her humans, and happily plays with the cat in her foster home. She shows interest in other dogs on walks and would likely do well with a canine sibling given proper introductions, though she’d also thrive as the cherished “princess” of the home. Katrina would fit well into many families — even those with respectful, animal savvy kids — as long as her people are attentive, patient, and aware of her signals. With her gentle energy, intelligence, and growing confidence, Katrina is ready to be someone’s devoted little travel buddy, couch companion, and heart dog.

Katrina’s Cute Highlights:
• Highly intelligent observer — watches, sniffs, and assesses before choosing to engage
• Boundary respecting sweetheart — warms up beautifully when people let her approach on her terms
• Old soul energy — calm, thoughtful, and deeply connected to her person
• Improving resource guarder — making great progress with toys and crate space sensitivity
• Playful once comfortable — becomes silly and engaged as she comes out of her shell
• Dog curious on walks — shows interest in other dogs and likely fine with proper introductions
• Cat friendly companion — lives with a cat now and enjoys playful interactions
• Potty and crate trained — reliable in the home and settles well when crated
• Great traveler — loves car rides and rides calmly in her dog car seat
• Perfect for aware families — thrives with people who read her signals and respect her space

Comprehensive details are provided in the dog's description. to ensure a smooth process, please submit a completed application through our website at: http://crisisdogsnc.org/dog-adoption/. Please note that questions via email or social media channels may not receive a response without a completed application. As part of our commitment to responsible adoption practices, we require excellent veterinarian references and conduct virtual home visits. Additionally, your prior or current dog must be on year-round heartworm prevention. We assist with coordinating transportation by both land and air whenever feasible. All assessments regarding breed and age are conducted by licensed veterinarians. We look forward to assisting you in finding your perfect canine companion!

The Bichon Frise is a small, cheerful, and affectionate dog breed known for its delightful demeanor and fluffy white coat. They are highly sociable, intelligent, and adaptable companions, making them ideal pets for families and singles alike. With their playful nature and desire to please, Bichon Frises excel in various activities such as agility and obedience trials. Regular grooming is essential to maintain their signature fluffy appearance, making them a charming and lovable breed for those seeking a devoted canine friend.

The Spaniel is a versatile and affectionate dog breed known for its friendly demeanor, intelligence, and exceptional hunting skills. With origins dating back to the 14th century, Spaniels come in various types such as the Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. These dogs excel in both the field and as loving family companions, showcasing their adaptability, loyalty, and energetic nature. Spaniels require regular exercise and grooming to maintain their silky coats and overall well-being, making them popular choices for active individuals and families seeking a devoted canine friend.

CrisisDogsNC is a foster-based, 501 (c) (3) non-profit founded in 2016 by journalist and author Judith Texier, whose magazine articles...